Sunday, September 02, 2018

Joy For All Seasons

Paul writes to the church at Corinth and tells them, "Our hearts ache but we always have joy."

Oh, my. What incredible glory this brings to God. What a supernatural truth this is. How beyond human nature is this?

I have known the depths of grief and heartache. I have experienced the heights of exuberant joy. But to know them simultaneously is a mystery to those who do not have the Spirit of the Living God residing within. This truly bears witness of His work in our lives.

There is a time to weep and a time to rejoice, of course. And in this life there is plenty of cause for both.

But the believer has joy -- "fruit born of the Spirit" joy. And it is to be evident in our lives, pushing its way up and through the heartache suffered. It brings a buoyancy as it surfaces again and again, no matter how many waves of sorrow come our way.

Be mindful of the words you utter. Bring your thoughts quickly into obedience to Christ through confession and repentance. Lay hold of that joy that resides within and put that on display as well. Are there hard things? Incredibly. Are they deeper than His love and His promise? Never.

Oh church, His Bride, rise up and remember that He is coming for you. This is the waiting time, the preparing time. But don't forget the occasion for which we wait and prepare. One who is faithful for all of eternity is coming for us! So let us do His bidding each and every day with the joy He imparts and the joy He deserves, reflecting His greatness always and in all things.